What Was The Role Of Women In The Early 1800's

During the early 1800’s, there was a series of occurrences that influenced women across the U.S. The Women’s Suffrage Movement was a major turning point in the lives of women. There were many rights that woman were being deprived of during that 1800’s. Women were raped, abused, called names, sexually assaulted, and given poor education. They were underestimated in many different aspects and were thought to be incapable of making their own decisions. The ongoing attack and criticism against women was what triggered them to take a stance and defend their sex. After decades of suffering, women decided it was time to rise up and change the way they lived, dressed, and were treated. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a social activist who was greatly
involved in beginning the women’s movement. She was a very important figure that several women looked up to and used her as a role model. Many women looked up to her and admired her efforts to put an end to the inequality. She wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, which she based on the Declaration of Independence. The main approach she used in the declaration in order to gain liberty and freedom revolved around two key foundations, integrity and respect. The Declaration of Sentiments was a powerful approach for women. The ideas contained in the document were to be debated on in the Seneca Falls Convention. The Seneca Falls Convention was the first convention held by women to discuss the unfair treatment that has put women down for centuries.
It was the first step taken by women during the Women’s Suffrage Movement towards gaining equality and freedom. The convention was held in New York during the year 1848. It consisted of approximately 300 members, 32 of which were men. During the convention, 18 hours were committed to speeches and debates about approaches to resolve various issues. At the end of the convention, about 100 of the attendees were convinced with the declaration and therefore had signed it proving so. Some people were criticized for supporting the document and removed their names. They allowed the opinions of those around them to negatively influence them from doing what they believed was just. Although many people attempted to ruin the movement, women were not discouraged and continued to fight back against those who wished to deprive them of their
rights.
Another women’s suffrage leader was Amelia Jenks Bloomer.
She had a strong passion to help women succeed in gaining their freedom. Amelia began writing different articles to inform the public why women believed they were being deprived of certain rights. Amelia was first encouraged by her husband, Dexter Bloomer, to begin writing articles for his newspaper. She later decided to begin her own newspaper about women’s rights in order to create a bigger impact on society. She published her first edition of her own newspaper which she named The Lily. It focused on a broad mix of topics such as marriage law reform, higher education for women, temperance, suffrage, and dress reform. The Lily was a way for women reformers to express what they truly believe in.
Amelia’s dedication to this particular issue led her to join temperance groups and women’s rights organization in the Seneca Falls area. She was fascinated by women’s rights leaders such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Stanton greatly influenced her to participate in the different organizations dedicated to help women gain equality. She embraced women’s rights and became active by giving speeches and making appearances with protest groups. She spread awareness through writing and lecturing. She never gave up and continued to put her full effort until she passed away, December
1984.
The National Women’s Liberation was a new beginning for women across the nation. It allowed women to change the way they lived, dressed, and acted. The perseverance of many women role models, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Amelia Jenks bloomer, helped spread ideas of equality across the nation. Women knew they were being discriminated against and they did not accept this prejudiced treatment. Many women participated in protests and lectures in order to spread their beliefs. These acts opened the eyes of the public to issues that people were blinded to.
Women had a dream to be able to live their life without being oppressed and criticized. They fought through their struggle and took after the leaders that began these movements. Women wished to create a society where they could live in harmony and do what they believed was right. They emphasized their ideas of equality which were the basis of the U.S. constitution and the Declaration of Independence.